National Republican., 1887-10-20
MARYLAND DEMOCRACY.
Hon. Jer Chandler Explains tho De-
cline of Republican Power.

Hon. JsT Chandler Explains tho De-
cline OF Republican Power.
The Maryland Democratic Club held a
large meeting at Elks' Hall last evening,
Mr.. C. @. Lancaster, president, in the
chair. On calling the meeting to order he
referred to the contest In the state for po-
litical supremacy in the state government,
and was satisfied that his party would be
successful.
Letters were read from o number OF
prominent Marylanders who had been In
vited to be present at the meeting and speak,
but who were unable to attend. Seated on
the platform were Mr.. JeG Chandler, Col
Switzler, chief of the statistical bureau;
VIM. l. Hill. president Of the Maryland
state Democratic committee; Senator Call,
of Florida, and others.
Mr.. Hill was first introduced and spoke
at length. He said the fight that will de.
eide the political ascendancy In Maryland
and he didn't want any OF those present to
forget It one moment. The destinies OF
the state hung In the balance.
"Look at the history Of the Republican
party" he said, "from the time OF its in
ception. Baptized In blood, 1t has been
perpetuated In power by every act that was
Unconstitutional, by every act that was
revolutionary, and by every act that was
He continued speaking at length on the
political outlook as well as reviewing the
past Of both parties, and concluded by pay
Ing decided tribute to Senator German,
the mention OF whose name called forth
great applause.
The next speaker was Mr.. JEFF Chandler,
III. l..N. "a L.,
paid him a high compliment.
ut has been said,n he began, "by some
people who think very little below the
surface, that there Is no difference between
parties that elections have bee1 reduced
to a struggle for office, and that the politics
OF this country is summed up In the ques-
tion Of who shall I'LL the offices for the next
year. Is that soP II 1t be SO, IL is matter
Of eight Importance which party prevails.
Republican party was triumphant every
where. You remember the time when 1t
carried Ohio by 100000 majority. When
Gen. Grant was elected majority
Of the southern states cast their electoral
vote for him. How Is It that that magni-
ficent majority has been dissipated; why is
1t that this great party has shrunken to a
minorityp VIII any man answer that
question: When he has answered It he
in the minority. The judgment Of the
people who supported 1t in the great hour
Of its triumph has turned against It. Why
is thisp II Is because IL has been unfaith-
ful IN the constitution OF the United States.
The most priceless principles In our
constitution is the right Of local self
government. The current of human
history tends toward the good Of local self
government. The issue of local self-gov-
ont 10 tfpn ario ohah ha 10
| party has taken this principle into It's pos
session. 1t has fought the great battles
which have to day resulted In the estab'
| lishment of that principle, and is now
| the only reliance for the perpetuation OF
that principle in this country. In 1870 the
Republican party In the zenith Of its power
passed an act Of Congress appointing super.
yisors 10 certify the state elections.
Up to that hour when the state
the result 1t was considered final. What
was that forP 1t was to bring under the
| control of Congress the election machinery
| Of every state in the Union. 1t was de.
signed to control southern elections. We
remember the profound irritation that II
produced in the south. We remem
Der the class hatred that was engen
dered by that law. Finally 1t reached the
Supreme Court OF the United States, and II
1
"Not content with that, they passed ar
act bringing within federal Jurisdiction
| matters pertaining to the state courts,
| That ran the same course, and finally reach
ing the Supreme Court Of the United States
1t was declared unconstitutional.
| "Not content with this, the civil rights
bill was enacted. That bill took possession
Of all the lines Of Transportation IN the
south. 1t undertook to regulate hotels and
every public institution In that country
That law engendered discomfort, and
finally when It reached the su
preme Court Of the United States
It was declared unconstitutional
The Supreme Court, In rendering these de
cisions, saw that II these laws should be up
held the government of the United States
would be revolutiopized and destroyed. Nc
| party In the annals OF mankind has received
such censure as the Republican party hal
received In these adjudications."
Mr.. Chandler spoke of the Industrial
prosperity of the south to show the desira
bility Of the Democratic rule, and claimed
that during the last two and half year.
property values there have doubled.
In view of these facts he thought II
ridiculous for any one to argue that because
there might be obscure and individua
cases where unworthy men get into tn,
Democratic party that that party should bt
deserted by Democrats. Those who left tn
party now as "reformers" would next elec
tion be found running for Office on the Re
publican ticket.
The speaker was frequently interrupted
by vigorous applause, and the keenness o
his argument carried bis auditors with hin
throughout
Col. Switzler and Senator Call, of Florida
spoke on the political situation, and yot
was taken indorsIng the Democratic nom!
nees in Maryland, after which an adjourn
ment was had.
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